ROCHESTER -- After enduring a stressful non-conference schedule, the Oakland women recently kicked off Summit League play. Playing conference favorite South Dakota State Thursday at the O'rena, they were seeing similar competition to the season's first two months.

Oakland held an early advantage, but went nearly four minutes between each of its next two baskets and trailed the final 35 minutes of the game in a 64-43 loss to the Jackrabbits.

"We had some really good moments," Oakland coach Beckie Francis said. "I really like how we came back and then they just hit three quick 3s and the game was over."

Oakland (7-9, 1-3 Summit) was led by its pack of freshmen, as Elena Popkey scored nine points, Olivia Nash had eight points and seven rebounds and Annemarie Hamlet had seven points. Classmate Sinclair Russell (Troy Athens) had six points and seven rebounds off the bench.

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"I liked the fight," Francis said. "I felt like I had four freshmen on the court most of the game competing against three seniors on the No. 1 team in the league, and we competed.

South Dakota State (12-5, 4-0) has won nine of its last 10 games, and six straight, while Oakland has lost two straight, including an 18-point defeat at conference newcomer Omaha last week.

The Jackrabbits, four-time defending conference tournament champions, took a 10-point lead into halftime after the Grizzlies got as close as two points with a 3-pointer from Amy Carlton with 3:41 to play in the half. South Dakota State outscored Oakland, 10-2, the rest of the way.

After South Dakota State went up by 17, Oakland pulled within 11 points with less than 10 minutes to play. The Jackrabbits responded by closing the game on a 16-6 tear, leading by as many as many as 21 points, holing Oakland without a field goal for the final 3:40.

The Golden Grizzlies forced 18 Jackrabbits turnovers, but gave it away 26 times.

"South Dakota State is usually the best defensive team in the league and that's why they win titles," Francis said. "We've won five championships here, and when we did, we were the No. 1 defensive team in the league. They frustrate teams. The shot clock gets down. They force turnovers. ... It was a grueling defensive battle."

The Jackrabbits held a 45-35 rebounding edge, a key to the game, Francis said. They shot 37 percent from the floor (25 of 68), marginally better than Oakland's 33 percent (17 of 52).

The Jackrabbits, ranked No. 17 in the latest Mid-Major poll, outscored Oakland, 28-12, in the paint and had a 12-3 advantage in second-chance points.

Olivia Nash, Oakland's leading scorer at 11.4 points per game, played her second straight game after missing six games with a leg injury.

"I'm really glad to be back," she said. "I really just need to get some wins and really fight and not give up."

Francis admitted bringing Nash back slowly, giving her just 18 minutes of playing time Thursday.

"We want to take it easy with her," Francis said of Nash. "She was out a good four weeks and that hurt us. We want to make sure we're keeping her fresh and we're smart because we want to keep her healthy for the playoffs."

The series between Oakland and South Dakota State is traditionally close, as they split the season series three consecutive years from 2009-11, meeting the conference tournament finals twice in that span. The Jackrabbits reeled off consecutive 10-point victories in each regular-season meeting last season, however. They meet again Feb. 9 in Brookings, S.D.

The Jackrabbits were, predictably, tabbed Summit League favorites, while Oakland was picked to finish third.

Oakland still has yet to have preseason Summit League player of the year Bethany Watterworth (Lake Orion) available, after she suffered an undisclosed injury in the offseason.

Francis said an announcement regarding Watterworth's status is expected Monday. Fellow preseason all-league player Zakiya Minifee missed her third game of the season with lingering knee soreness. Her return is possible Saturday, Francis said, when Oakland hosts North Dakota State at 2 p.m.

-- Saturday's game against North Dakota State marks the first "Awareness Without Fear" game. The game will benefit HAVEN and CARE House of Oakland County.